Horner-Hyde House

Built by H.R. Horner in 1889, the Horner-Hyde House is associated with
two important citizens of Pierre, Henry Horner, who built the house, and
Charles Lee Hyde, a member of the locally prominent Hyde family, which had
such an influence on the development of the area.

The house is a large, impressive two-and-one-half story Queen Anne with
ornate details such as a cross-gabled roof, delicate decorative detailing
and shingles in the gables, one-over-one windows, and a bay window on the
east façade. The interior of the home contains a unique granite fireplace
made entirely from a single boulder. The Horner-Hyde House sits on a hill
overlooking the notable historic commercial area of Pierre, the Upper Pierre
Street Commercial Historic District.

Henry Horner, a 27 year-old attorney, moved to Pierre in 1881 and quickly
became one of the leading citizens of the city and county. Horner and L.W.
Wakefield founded a law firm and were active in local Republican politics.
Horner later formed a partnership with Robert W. Stewart that became one of
the best-known firms in the territory. The firm still exists today as May,
Adam, Gerdes, and Thompson and is the oldest law firm in the State. Horner
was also the official reporter for the State Supreme Court from 1898 to
1913, invested heavily in both commercial and residential real estate, and
was one of the founders of Pierre National Bank --- now BankWest. Elected to
the State Senate in 1892 and 1896, he served as chairman of the committee on
railroads and was a member of the Judiciary, Public Printing, Apportionment,
Public Health, and Immigration standing committees.

In 1889, Horner began building the house at the corner of Grand and
Capitol. Between 1892 and 1911, he made several improvements to the
property. Horner died of the flu in 1930, and in 1934, his widow sold the
house for $10,000 to Charles (Charley) Lee and Florence Hyde.

Charles (Charley) Hyde was the son of the notable Charles Hyde who
developed much of Upper Pierre Street. The Hydes became one of the
wealthiest families in the State. Charles managed the family’s farms and
other extensive real estate holdings. During the 1930s, he bought distressed
farms and sold them back to the original owners on an easy contract. He also
managed the Grand Theatre in Pierre and served as State director of the
Theatre Owners Association of America. He expanded his father’s holdings and
was responsible for constructing or financing many of the commercial
ventures in the city. Going into politics, he was elected to the State
Senate on the Republican ticket in 1928 and 1930 and in 1942 to the State
House of Representatives.

While a legislator, Charley Hyde was very active promoting child welfare,
agriculture, commerce, and highway and aviation improvement. Over the years,
he was a member of the Agriculture, Banks and Banking; Child Welfare;
Highways and Aviation; Incorporations; Capitol Buildings and Grounds;
Federal Regulations; Military Affairs; Apportionment; Mines and Mining; and
Indian Affairs committees. He also chaired the State Board for the
Rehabilitation of the Blind under four governors. A committeeman for the Boy
Scouts of America for 22 years, he helped organize the Pierre Boys Club. In
another demonstration of his commitment to helping young people, he hired
local farm boys and provided them with living quarters as they attended high
school in Pierre. Because of his contributions to the community, Hyde
received the first “Pop Warner Worker of the Month” award for outstanding
volunteer work. The Dakota Sioux Tribe adopted Hyde as an honorary chief in
1937. He was a life member of the State Historical Society.

The home was purchased and restored by Dr. Doug Beemer in 1989, and is
currently in use as his professional office.